The lieutenant governor's plan would be funded by state tax revenues it anticipates will be derived from two large, long-planned transportation projects – Baltimore’s Red Line and the Purple Line in the Washington suburbs.

The 17-page plan contains a series of initiatives, including expanding public-private partnerships, increasing loans and grants to developing businesses, creating a small-business manufacturing tax credit and strengthening the Port of Baltimore.

The blueprint outlines each of the proposals, including estimated price tags for each. It covers four years, beginning with a $32.7 million investment in the 2016 fiscal year.

Among the biggest-ticket items is the proposed expansion – by $10 million over the next four years – of the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund, which provides capital and incentives to small and medium-sized businesses.

The expansion would be phased in, beginning with a $2.5 million boost in the 2016 fiscal year.

The fund is currently allocated $28 million for the 2015 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Another proposal would create a new tax credit for small companies – those under 100 employees – to purchase new manufacturing equipment. The cost is estimated at $5 million a year over four years.

The plan proposes using the existing capital budget to strengthen the Port of Baltimore by building an Intermodal Container Transfer Facility that would allow more flexibility in cargo transfers. The plan said that “we can make the Port an even stronger force in Maryland’s economy.”

The Red Line transit project would cut west-to-east across — and at times under — Baltimore. The Purple Line is a light-rail project linking Montgomery and Prince George's counties. The Brown campaign said it conservatively estimated that the state would realize 6 percent of the economic output of the two projects in the form of tax revenues.

The three Democratic contenders for governor have agreed on a plan to hold three broadcast debates — two televised and one on radio — before the June 24 primary, according to the campaign of Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown.

The 2014 campaign for Maryland governor is well under way, with contested primary races in both the Democratic and Republican parties. The primary election is June 24. Candidates include three Democrats and four Republicans. -- Michael Dresser

To celebrate the silver anniversary of the UConn men's 1989-90 Dream Season, The Courant will be looking at players and coaches who helped make that team special. Stories will appear periodically throughout the season.

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Bitterly admitting defeat, House Republicans on Tuesday abandoned their attempts to use the Homeland Security Department's spending bill to force concessions from President Barack Obama on immigration, and sent him legislation to fund the agency through the end of the budget year with no...